History

Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson LLP is the second oldest law firm in Louisiana primarily focused throughout its history in insurance defense. It is the tenth oldest firm in Louisiana. The firm was founded in 1928 by William A. Porteous, Jr., F. Carter Johnson, Jr. and Julian Humphrey. Mr. Porteous was among the earliest members of the International Association of Defense Counsel having attended its first meeting. Mr. Porteous and Mr. Humphrey were founders of the Federation of Insurance Counsel. Mr. Humphrey served as President in 1947 and Mr. Porteous served as President in 1962.

Following World War II, the firm became Porteous and Johnson. In the 1950′s and early 60′s , the firm grew substantially. Mr. Parnell Hyland became a partner. The deaths of Mr. F. Carter Johnson, Jr. and Mr. Hyland in 1964 left Mr. Porteous as the sole surviving partner. In 1967 he created Porteous, Toledano, Hainkel, & Johnson and retired from the firm leaving partners Mr. John J. Hainkel Jr., Mr. Benjamin C. Toledano, Mr. William A. Porteous, III, and Mr. C. Gordon Johnson, Jr. Mr. William A. Porteous, Jr. died in 1969. Mr. Henry Leon Sarpy joined the firm as a partner 1973.

Attorneys at Porteous, Hainkel & Johnson are active in civic, business and cultural activities in the community and in the bar. Mr John J Hainkel, Jr. was elected to the Legislature in 1996 and eventually rose to become Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was then elected to the Louisiana State Senate and served as its President. The firm members are active in all insurance defense organizations. Mr. C. Gordon Johnson, Jr. and Mrs. Adrianne L. Baumgartner have served as President of the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel. Mr. Porteous was an adjunct professor of Martime Law at the Tulane University School of Law for over twenty years.